Bhubaneswar, Dec 11: The recovery of hundreds of crores of rupees from liquor traders in Odisha has disappointed political leaders and common people not only in the State but also in the country. The amount of the seized untaxed money is so high that 40 officials have failed to count them even in six days. While counting continues, it is estimated that the amount would cross the Rs 500-crore mark.

While poverty grips Odisha and youths, women, elderly, and ailing persons have remained neglected lots, it seems that the BJD government has no concern for them. Instead, it is busy accumulating funds for the party.

The seizure indicates that the BJD government has been protecting the three-four families connected to the Congress Rajya Sabha member of Jharkhand who has spread the liquor trade network in Odisha for many years now.

The seizure has raised questions over the functioning of the Excise Department.

While the Excise department has permitted the trading of 100 quintals of liquor, in reality, they were trading 2700 quintals of liquor. From this, it is understood that Odisha has lost huge amounts of revenue. Had the Excise Department levied taxes, Odisha would have gotten about Rs 50,000 crore in the last 20 years.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and other Central leaders have expressed concern. They have asserted that all looted public money will be recovered and looters, irrespective of their status, will be punished as per law.

Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister posted a news article published in a newspaper and wrote, "People of the country should see the bundles of notes seized and listen to the 'Imandari' speeches of leaders involved in the illegal work,"

He assured that all looted money will be recovered one by one and it is Modi's guarantee.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan wrote, "The news of hundreds of crores of rupees being seized in Odisha has surprised me. It is a matter of concern that such a large amount of black money has been seized at a point in time from a State like Odisha during raids by Central agencies. Whoever they may be, the looters will be sent to jail. Nobody will be spared. it is Modi's guarantee,"

BJP senior leader Golak Mohapatra severely criticized both the Congress and the BJD.

"Congress MP is the owner of this black money and its protector is Naveen Patnaik. BJD Ministers and leaders are directly involved. The money was meant for election manageent of the BJD," alleged.

He wanted to know why the BJD is silent while hundreds of crores of rupees have been seized.

Many wanted to know what the Excise, Vigilance and Police were doing when the liquor trader was piling up money.

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